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Home Loan News..


September CPI Report Brings a Bit of Relief — But Rates Hold Steady
Prices across the economy rose a little slower than expected in September, which is a good sign for anyone hoping to see lower mortgage rates ahead. The latest government report showed that inflation increased 0.3% for the month and 3% over the past year , just slightly less than economists had predicted. “Core” inflation — which leaves out food and gas prices — also came in a little lower than expected. That means prices for most everyday items are no longer rising as fast a

Michael Belfor
Oct 24, 20252 min read


Low Down Payment Options for Homebuyers
One of the obstacles that keeps first-time homebuyers out of the housing market is the misconception that they need to have a 20% down payment. As the purchase price of homes has risen, the ability to save for a down payment has become harder and harder. Luckily, there are plenty of options that can help you with a down payment, including lowering the down payment amount in the first place. So let’s start by debunking that common myth about down payments. Though a 20% down pa

Michael Belfor
Oct 23, 20254 min read


Wednesday Wisdom: Win the Market You’re In
You don’t win by waiting — you win by preparing. Too many people are on the sidelines right now, watching rates like it’s a scoreboard. But the truth is, the rate is only one line item in the bigger picture. The bigger win is ownership, equity growth, and timing your life — not just your loan. Let’s get honest about the math.If home prices grow 3–5% while you wait for rates to drop 0.5%, the math doesn’t balance in your favor. But when you buy now and refinance later, you ca

Michael Belfor
Oct 22, 20251 min read


7 Tips for First-Time Homebuyers
You’ve decided you want to buy a home. You are ready to look at listings, view the next open house, and pick your favorite paint colors—but not so fast! You need to make sure you are financially ready first. We know…it’s not as much fun as scrolling through online real estate listings. But it is the key to ensuring that you’re able to find a home you love. That starts with finding a mortgage lender and obtaining a home loan—two things we specialize in. Here are seven financia

Michael Belfor
Oct 21, 20256 min read


TIPS FOR REAL ESTATE AGENTS*** Interviewing Recent Buyers: Insights and Experiences
One of the best ways to understand the mortgage process from a client’s perspective is to interview recent buyers. By gathering their feedback and experiences, you can gain valuable insights into what went well, what could be improved, and how you can enhance your services. In this blog post, we’ll explore the benefits of interviewing recent buyers and share common themes from their feedback. Gathering Feedback from Recent Buyers Understanding Pain Points: Interviewing recent

Michael Belfor
Oct 21, 20253 min read


Monday Momentum: Move Before the Market Does
Mondays are made for motion. The market doesn’t wait for anyone — not the perfect interest rate, not the perfect season, not even the perfect plan. But the people who move with clarity always find opportunity, even when others are standing still. If you’re buying, this week is about positioning , not perfection.Start with your numbers — not the headlines. A full pre-approval gives you leverage, clarity, and the ability to act when the right home hits the market. If you’re an

Michael Belfor
Oct 20, 20251 min read


Saturday Strategy: Faith Over Fear in a Waiting Market
The hardest part of this market isn’t the data — it’s the doubt. Buyers keep waiting for a green light from the Fed, the news, or their friends. But faith doesn’t wait for perfect conditions. It moves with conviction. If the payment works, if the home fits, and if the long-term plan makes sense, then today might already be “the right time.” Real estate rewards the prepared — not the perfect. And that’s why we keep showing up, making calls, writing offers, and trusting God wit

Michael Belfor
Oct 18, 20251 min read


WEEKEND Mortgage Market Update
The Shutdown Drags On Good morning! The longer this government shutdown lingers, the more it begins to chip away at GDP and overall growth. Even when the government reopens, much of that lost output can’t be recovered—especially for small private-sector businesses that depend on federal contracts and spending. Yesterday, we finally saw the 10-year Treasury yield drop below 4.0% —a major technical milestone and a clear sign that investors are shifting into “risk-off” mode. Bon

Michael Belfor
Oct 17, 20252 min read


Friday Focus: Control the Controllables
The most productive agents aren’t the ones who know where rates are headed — they’re the ones who know how to navigate today. Markets fluctuate. Buyers hesitate. But when you lead with real numbers and personalized options, you give people permission to move forward. That’s leadership, not luck. We’re helping buyers structure affordability through buydowns, DPA layering, and custom payment targets. Every one of those starts with a single question: “What monthly number gives y

Michael Belfor
Oct 17, 20251 min read


Payment Targets Beat Headlines
Rates move. Headlines shout. But smart buyers win by anchoring to a payment target—not a clickbait decimal. When we start with “What monthly number lets you breathe?” everything else falls into place: price, down payment, and the best structure to protect your cash. From there, we compare paths: Conventional vs. temporary buydown: Trade a slightly higher cost today for breathing room in year one or two. Self-employed options (bank statements/P&L): When tax returns don’t tel

Michael Belfor
Oct 16, 20251 min read


Markets Steady, Opportunities Sharpen
Today’s mortgage market is in a holding pattern — not inactive, just patient. That’s a good thing for those prepared to act. Current Snapshot The 10-year Treasury yield is trading around 4.02 % (Investing). FRED’s last published 10-year print remains ~4.05% (with some lag in updates). Bond strategists expect long-term yields to remain elevated near 4.10% over the next few months due to inflation and fiscal pressures. These yields are anchoring mortgage rates. Because there’

Michael Belfor
Oct 15, 20251 min read


Quiet Market, Smart Positioning
Mortgage rates are holding in a tight range today, and that stability is exactly what smart buyers, sellers, and homeowners should lean into. What the Data Shows The 10-year Treasury is trading around 4.04 % YCharts reports the 10-year yield at 4.05 % as of October 10 The latest FRED print has shown ~4.10 %, though with publication lag That means mortgage markets aren’t about to rocket or collapse overnight — they’re paused, waiting on catalysts: inflation data, Fed commentar

Michael Belfor
Oct 14, 20251 min read


Monday Mortgage Setup: Turn Intention Into Approval
If you’re waiting for “perfect conditions,” real estate will lap you. The win isn’t timing the market; it’s preparing so that when the right home appears, you’re already approved, priced, and poised to move. That’s how offers get accepted—speed plus clarity. Step one is pre-approval, not because lenders love paperwork, but because it converts guesses into decisions. With a full file review, we anchor your max price to a comfortable payment, then reverse-engineer taxes, insur

Michael Belfor
Oct 13, 20252 min read


How Buydowns Are Helping Buyers Win in 2025
As mortgage rates hold steady in the mid-6% range, more buyers are turning to one of the most effective affordability tools in today’s...

Michael Belfor
Oct 8, 20252 min read


Self-Employed and Ready to Buy? Here’s How to Make It Happen
If you’re self-employed, you’ve probably heard the phrase “it’s harder to get a mortgage when you work for yourself.” That might’ve been...

Michael Belfor
Oct 7, 20252 min read


The Truth About Down Payment Assistance — Still Alive, Still Powerful
There’s a common misconception floating around right now: that Down Payment Assistance (DPA) programs disappeared when the market slowed....

Michael Belfor
Oct 6, 20252 min read


Anchored in Peace
The past few weeks have been filled with questions about rates, the Fed, and where the market goes next. But Sundays remind us of a...

Michael Belfor
Oct 5, 20251 min read


Three DIY Projects That Pay Off in Comfort and Value
Weekends are for projects — and some of the best ones aren’t just cosmetic. They add comfort now and value later. Here are three worth...

Michael Belfor
Oct 4, 20251 min read


Weekly Recap — The Fed Cut and What It Really Means for Rates
This week gave us one of the most anticipated Fed meetings of the year. The central bank delivered a quarter-point cut — the first since...

Michael Belfor
Oct 3, 20251 min read


Why Fast-Closing Programs Matter More Than Ever
In a market where rates haven’t broken decisively lower, speed has become one of the most valuable advantages a buyer can bring. Sellers...

Michael Belfor
Oct 2, 20251 min read
Content by The Belfor Team, Mortgage Lender California
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